Greinke a great client but no agent; let's hope he hires one
MARYVALE, Ariz. -- The story going around the Brewers clubhouse is that star pitcher Zack Greinke's first words to Brewers management in the contract negotiations he is currently handling were, "I think very highly of my client.''
That may just become part of Greinke's growing legend, but knowing him, it's quite a believable tale. He has a terrific sense of humor -- asked about all the fan support he was getting Friday, he said, "Some people like me. I'm not sure why.'' -- and if any player could handle his own negotiations, maybe it's him.
But hiring yourself as an agent is an awful idea -- remember when Gary Sheffield forgot to get the no-trade clause but still prevented a trade from the Yankees to the Mets when he acted like such a jerk no one would possibly take him? -- and Greinke told me he does plan to hire a real agent eventually. The most likely candidates are probably Casey Close or CAA, as Greinke's happy trade away from the Royals and to Milwaukee was completed when he went to Close, then at CAA (but after Close left CAA, Greinke went on his own, at least for now.)
Brewers GM Doug Melvin said team higher-ups have discussed Greinke's contractual situation "internally,'' but denied that any numbers have been exchanged thus far. Maybe the Brewers are so magnanimous that the Brewers are giving Greinke every chance to hire a qualified agent before making their move. In truth, it's a little bit of a mystery why the Brewers aren't giving it a good try now before Greinke hires a professional.
He should easily beat John Danks' $65-million five-year deal, and one agent said a repeat of his big 2009 season could even put in the category of Matt Cain and Cole Hamels, at least in terms of annual salary. Greinke isnt talking about his contractual situation but one person close to him said he's definitely noticed the $20-million-a-year talk about top pitchers, even if he's shown in the past he's driven more by potential championships than guaranteed dollars. Comfort is also important to him,
Greinke did say to he thought it might be theoretically possible to handle the negotiations himself if it were only one team he was dealing with (i.e. the Brewers). His plan to hire an agent shouldn't be construed as a hint he definitely planning to leave, though.
All suggestions are that he likes it in Milwaukee, and he could be that rare person who's decision isn't affected by green. Let's not forget he turned down a chance to go to the Nationals and lock up a deal thought to be worth something approaching $100 million before accepting a trade to the Brewers that didn't include any extension at all. He picked the Brewers because he saw their potential, and indeed they did reach the NLCS in his first year in Milwaukee.
The Brewers aren't historically a driver of the market, so presumably he could get more elsewhere, if that matters to him. They once did offer CC Sabathia about $100 million for five years but that came after Sabathia was the key player who hoisted the Brewers into the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Greinke probably isn't a candidate to go to the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies based on his history, but the market should still be rich for the talented 28-year-old who went 16-6 with a 3.83 ERA last year.
Greinke looks like he's primed for a big year. He struck out nine in 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the vaunted Angels offense on Friday, returning for a sixth innings to work on a thing or two. Teammate Ryan Braun suggested Greinke was never really right last year after returning quickly from a freak spring basketball accident but pointed out Greinke still managed to strike out more than 200 batters (201 in just 171 2/3 innings).
He's a terrific pitcher, and a smart guy, smart enough to know to hire a professional.
That may just become part of Greinke's growing legend, but knowing him, it's quite a believable tale. He has a terrific sense of humor -- asked about all the fan support he was getting Friday, he said, "Some people like me. I'm not sure why.'' -- and if any player could handle his own negotiations, maybe it's him.
But hiring yourself as an agent is an awful idea -- remember when Gary Sheffield forgot to get the no-trade clause but still prevented a trade from the Yankees to the Mets when he acted like such a jerk no one would possibly take him? -- and Greinke told me he does plan to hire a real agent eventually. The most likely candidates are probably Casey Close or CAA, as Greinke's happy trade away from the Royals and to Milwaukee was completed when he went to Close, then at CAA (but after Close left CAA, Greinke went on his own, at least for now.)
Brewers GM Doug Melvin said team higher-ups have discussed Greinke's contractual situation "internally,'' but denied that any numbers have been exchanged thus far. Maybe the Brewers are so magnanimous that the Brewers are giving Greinke every chance to hire a qualified agent before making their move. In truth, it's a little bit of a mystery why the Brewers aren't giving it a good try now before Greinke hires a professional.
He should easily beat John Danks' $65-million five-year deal, and one agent said a repeat of his big 2009 season could even put in the category of Matt Cain and Cole Hamels, at least in terms of annual salary. Greinke isnt talking about his contractual situation but one person close to him said he's definitely noticed the $20-million-a-year talk about top pitchers, even if he's shown in the past he's driven more by potential championships than guaranteed dollars. Comfort is also important to him,
Greinke did say to he thought it might be theoretically possible to handle the negotiations himself if it were only one team he was dealing with (i.e. the Brewers). His plan to hire an agent shouldn't be construed as a hint he definitely planning to leave, though.
All suggestions are that he likes it in Milwaukee, and he could be that rare person who's decision isn't affected by green. Let's not forget he turned down a chance to go to the Nationals and lock up a deal thought to be worth something approaching $100 million before accepting a trade to the Brewers that didn't include any extension at all. He picked the Brewers because he saw their potential, and indeed they did reach the NLCS in his first year in Milwaukee.
The Brewers aren't historically a driver of the market, so presumably he could get more elsewhere, if that matters to him. They once did offer CC Sabathia about $100 million for five years but that came after Sabathia was the key player who hoisted the Brewers into the playoffs for the first time in 26 years. Greinke probably isn't a candidate to go to the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies based on his history, but the market should still be rich for the talented 28-year-old who went 16-6 with a 3.83 ERA last year.
Greinke looks like he's primed for a big year. He struck out nine in 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the vaunted Angels offense on Friday, returning for a sixth innings to work on a thing or two. Teammate Ryan Braun suggested Greinke was never really right last year after returning quickly from a freak spring basketball accident but pointed out Greinke still managed to strike out more than 200 batters (201 in just 171 2/3 innings).
He's a terrific pitcher, and a smart guy, smart enough to know to hire a professional.
